2

a—B

from the Service on account of the age-limit, and as tiiis is my last annual report, I wish to place on record specially my appreciation of what has been achieved to date, and give lull credit to where it is due. The detailed report of the Chief Drainage Engineer is attached, together will, a statement of accounts. I have, &_., James MACKENZIE, I 'nder-Secretary. The Right Hon. W. F. Massey, P. 0., Minister of Lands, Wellington.

Statement of Accounts (as required by Section 10 or the Haubak] Plains Act, 1908) fob the Yeab ENiiEn 31st March, 1915. Receipt*. Expenditure. 1914—March 31st. £ s. d. £ s. <l. 1915—Maroh 31st. £ s. d. To Balanoe—C&sh in Public. I By ExpenditureAccount .. .. .. 4,445 I 7 Drainage works, clearing channels, 1915 March 31st. building stopbanks, and all expenses To Land sales .. .. 244 8 li incidental thereto .. .. 14,792 12 8 Rents .. .. 9,954 17 II Purchase and equipment of dredges Miscellaneous .. .. 249 12 li and maintenance thereof .. 529 I 4 10.448 IS II Travelling allowances and expenses Debentures raised under and other general expenses .. 266 18 7 the Hauraki Plains Oriice-exponses, Thames .. .. 95 Kill Amendment Act, 191.'1 .. 9,000 (I 0 Sinking artesian wells for settlers .. 438 13 2 State Advances Amend- Compensation for land aoquired .. 485 12 11 ment Act, 1914. sec- Interest paid to Consolidated Fund .. 363 0 9 tion 3 .. .. .. 771 9 2 Payments on loans —Interest .. 3,437 10 0 Hauraki Plains Settlement Act, 1908, charge? and expenses .. .. 0 7 0 Balance —Cash in Public Account .. 4,265 19 4 £24,66. 9 8 £24,665 9 8 Loan Account. 1915—March 31st. £ 9. d. 1914—April Ist, £ s. d. To Balance .. .. •• 148.005 9 10 l.v Balance due to Loans to hocal Bodies' Account (on original loan of £31,000) 37,502 19 5 1915—March 31st. By Year's interest at 4 per cent, per annum 1,502 10 5 Amount of loan transferred from State Advances Department to Treasury under section 2, State Advances Amendment Act, 1914 .. .. 95,000 0 0 Debentures issued under the New Zealand Loans Act, 1908 .. .. 5,000 (l 0 Debentures issued under the Hauraki 'Wains Amendment Act, 1913 .. 9,000 0 0 £148,065 9 10 £148,065 9 10 [Note. —The figures represent the actual amounts charged up in the Treasury books, including commitments brought down from the previous year, but do not include all commitments entered into at 3lst March, 1915, as several of these had not been brought to charge at that date.]

REPORT BY CHIEF DRAINAGE ENGINEER. Sir, — I have the honour, in accordance with the provisions of the Hauraki Plains Act, 1908. to report upon the various operations carried out during the financial year ending the 31st March, 1915. In accordance with past years' practice, the .development of the whole scheme, as well as the maintenance of existing works, has been steadily pushed ahead. In the older-settled portions of the plains various improvements are made where justified, but the main expenditure is in connection with the areas recently balloted for, or the reclamation of new areas. So far no rates, either under the Hauraki Plains Act or the Counties Act (except charitable aid and hospital), have been levied, but the plains are now being classified so that the rates can be struck for maintenance. Such being the case, all charges connected with the maintenance have been defrayed either by special votes or out of the main fund. During the year areas amounting to 6,4.14 acres were made suitable for selection or sale. Of this area, 6,314 acres were subdivided into sixty-seven farms, so that the total area reclaimed to date is 38,994 acres, subdivided and occupied by 294 settlers. A large number of these settlers, especially those who have been in occupation for two years, have been engaged in dairying, and have met with great success. Home separation is the method adopted, and a launch is engaged daily on the Piako River in conveying the cream to the factory. In addition, cream is sent from Waitakaruru and Turua by launch. On the Waitoa Block there is a creamery on the Balachraggan Settlement, less than a mile away, to which supplies from this block are sent.